Samsung technology sets sail to new generation of ‘smart ships’

MSC Cruises has partnered with Samsung to develop technology for the next generation of smart cruise ships, making the travelling experience increasingly intuitive for guests.

The announcement revealed that contactless payment, interactive screens to allow guests to book restaurants and excursions, as well as visual displays, including in-cabin flat screen HDTV’s, public screens and digital signage will all be used throughout. Samsung will also be supplying mobile solutions such as smartphones, tablets and accessories as well as the medical equipment and technology for on-board medical centres.

Samsung will support the cruise ships near-field communication (NFC) technology on-board, enabling guests to use a cruise card, bracelet, or smartphone to geo-locate themselves or their children, access their cabin or make payments while on-board.

The technology will be rolled out on new ships, MSC Meraviglia next June and MSC Seaview next December, with another five ships on order for delivery.

However, it’s not the first cruise ship to launch as a ‘smart’ experience. A Royal Caribbean ship launched last year which featured robot bartenders that created drinks based off orders taken on tablets aboard the ship.

Samsung Italia President Carlo Barlocco adds: “The partnership with MSC Cruises is an example of how our advanced solutions are able to enhance the passenger experience: not only monitors and tablets to access information and infotainment contents on board but also advanced medical equipment to support first aid in case of emergencies.

“This partnership, finally, will allow Samsung and MSC to bring innovation to the whole cruise industry.”

MSC Meraviglia will be the company’s biggest ship, carrying 4,500 passengers, and will be sailing in the Western Mediterranean from Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona.

Three sister ships are expected to be delivered in 2019, 2020 and 2022.